“To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of successful leadership - not only on the movie set where I learned it, but everywhere.” - Ronald Reagan

The Winder City Council not only showed a remarkable lack of vision at its August 7 meeting, but it also thumbed its nose at the room full of citizens and the nearly 175 constituents whose signatures were on two anti-rezoning petitions the council received prior to the meeting.

At issue was a zoning change at 10 Kimball Street, from residential to neighborhood commercial, and a request for a conditional use on the Broad Street lot where the old First Baptist Church once stood. The owners of the Kimball Street property, which sits behind 122 N. Broad Street in a residential neighborhood, plan to tear the house on the lot down and build a “landscape parking lot.” The conditional use on the Broad Street property was to allow a Hardee’s restaurant considering locating there to have a drive-through.

Both properties are in the city’s historic district and both of the rezones were opposed by a large group of citizens who live and/or operate businesses in that district, (myself included, so yes, I do have a dog in this fight.)

The reasons given for opposing the Kimball rezone included “commercial erosion” of a residential area, decreased property values and traffic impact on the neighborhood. This was the third time the property owners requested this rezone; council voted to deny it two times prior.

Those opposed to approving Hardee’s conditional use request cited erosion of the historic district, increased “cut through” traffic in the streets of historic neighborhoods, and concerns about traffic and safety on Broad Street. Emphasizing that they were not “anti-business,” the residents pointed out two other locations on N. Broad Street that are not in the historic district and would provide better traffic flow for Hardee’s.

The city planning and zoning board recommended denial of the 10 Kimball Street rezone; one of the speakers against it is on the planning board. And while that board did not make a recommendation about the Hardee’s drive through, another member spoke and voted against it when it was time for the council’s decision to be made.

It was obvious the councilmen had already heard an ear-full about the rezones, mostly from citizens opposed to the changes. It was also obvious it pained them to see such a large roomful of voters at the meeting, most in opposition. Yet, with the exception of Ridley Parrish, they voted to approve both rezones.

The reasons they gave were the same ones they’ve been using to justify similarly visionless actions for years. They don’t want to be anti-business; development is inevitable; we need more parking downtown; and there’s nothing anyone can do about traffic until Winder gets a by-pass. They also held high the notion that, “if we don’t okay the Hardee’s drive-through, we’ll end up with another used car lot on that corner, and none of us want that.”

And they wonder why we accuse them of lacking vision? The only two uses they can imagine on a big, expensive downtown lot on an already traffic-snarled corner are a fast food with a drive-through and a used car lot?

One of the speakers opposing the Hardee’s conditional use hit the nail on the head when she described Winder’s approach to planning and zoning as the “whatever, wherever plan.” I say, as long as the “any business is good business” mindset rules, there’s no need for planning and zoning at all. Let’s just let landowners do anything they wish with their properties and see where we end up. Somehow, I don’t think a revitalized downtown or increased local property values are part of that picture.

In the face of such obvious public opposition, voting to approve these rezones also indicates an arrogance which is inexcusable. Those councilmen are elected to represent their constituents, not do whatever they feel like doing in the blind interest of “promoting business in Winder.”

And where were the Downtown Development Authority, the historic societies and the Barrow preservation group during these proceedings? In some cases, present but silent; in others, entirely absent. They may be offering opinions behind the scenes, but that doesn’t help unify the historic preservation-oriented public or get reported on in the newspaper.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) This may prove to be true about downtown and historic Winder. The only way to revitalize and preserve these areas is for those who care to join efforts, find a voice and begin working together so it is clear to the city fathers that someone cares.

As long as the recognized groups don’t make their stance clear on important decisions like zoning, and the citizens don’t show any interest in the recognized groups, the powers that be are free to continue to make far reaching, high impact decisions on an isolated case-by-case basis that has nothing to do with any semblance of vision or a long-term benefit.

If Winder is to be saved, some kind of “the public cares” tipping point must be reached. It is up to those of us who care to make that happen. If we don’t, we deserve the continued de-vitalization of our town that we have been witnessing now for far too many years.

Lorin Sinn-Clark is a writer for the Barrow Journal. She can be reached at lorin@barrowjournal.com

I probably would've voted against the parking lot, considering that there isn't anything worth going to downtown for, so why do you need more parking? However, I think you want to have Hardee's and other restaurants, fast food or sit-down, to actually get people to stop in town, not just drive through it. Too many people oppose growth that they don't see as part of their vision of some romanticised downtown. The truth is, Winder and Barrow county are too small to support anything close to what Athens has and the vacant church lot is an eyesore. At least now there will be something there that is going to be used and it isn't going to blight the 'historic' nature of that part of town in the least

You must not know what is in the over 600 page Barrow Co code, the police powers given in it, and the ignorance of the interpretation because it's so complicated and legalistic. It was just copied from somewhere and imposed here.
Then of course there is the selective enforcement.
You've got no idea if you think there are actually private property rights.

Lorin, Lorin, it's amazing that the BJ still allows you to express your liberal views (or visions). A national franchise would like to build here in our city. On a lot ZONED commercial. Across the street are two 24 hour drive-thru's: ATM behind the bank and the mailboxes behind the post office. The franchise that other cities would love to have, creating dozens of jobs in their town. There is nothing historic about this lot. The church was torn down. Where were you when this happened? Or when the lot was rezoned or the for sale sign went up? What did you think was going there? Maybe the state park could move the old Fort Yargo... that's historic!

I live in the City, How many of you commenters actually live inside the city? I DO WANT Hardees to come, and Any Other Business that wants to relocate in our County. I want to attract business, I want to clean up downtown and the entire city & county both. We need more higher end businesses, employers and homes too.

I want to welcome Hardees BUT, I AGREE that it is really the WRONG Place, I would say several Blocks farther North (or South) would be nice. We need to preserve the Historic District, so IF we approve it there (again not the best place for other reasons like traffic also), We need to demand Architectural standards for this Neighborhood, it should blend into the Historic District. Please at least get Hardees to conform and understand the type structure that should be built here.
I think we are short-sighted here also, I am disappointed, but I must ask, Who's Brother is moving Winder to GA316 & 81 anyway?

Big brothers plans are not going according to plan. The plan was to put little brother in the mayors office and return Garrison, Lampp and Brown to power. So far only one of four worked out. But do not worry. Plan B is in the works.

That's what happens when we continually re-elect councilmen! Term limits would eliminate the stale mentality of the council. 2 terms and you are out should be the "norm". At least then, we would be getting fresh minds and ideas. And maybe, just maybe, this would help eliminate the "good ol'boy " system that, IS,alive and well in the Winder City Council!!!!!!
Bottom line is, WE THE PEOPLE, need to get involved and start holding our elected officials accountable for their actions.

Perhaps we are wrong when we say the City Council has no vision. Maybe their vision is to turn Winder into a fast-food & used car mecca. It certainly seems that's the direction we are heading.
What can we expect when we keep re-electing the same ol' good old boys to the council? We need to elect people who think outside of the box and actually want to improve our city. Everywhere you look in the downtown area, and all along Broad St there is some eyesore. The tacky buy-here-pay-here car lots, strip malls with outdated and ugly facades and businesses long abandoned litter our cityscape.
With all the historic buildings & homes in Winder, we COULD have a beautiful city if our City Council had the vision to see it and the courage to step up and make it happen! If Monroe can develop a downtown area that people actually want to visit, why can't Winder?

Its called Crony Capitalism, It's when the select connected few are promoted and protected from their incompetence. Its way People's Bank, Larry's Easy Pay and their kind were given free range while others have been run out of town no matter the expense. The house of cards fell when the Connected few could no longer be protected by their Crony's in local government. The County (you) have paid (lost opportunities and increased tax burden) for their petty grips and inside deals. The Barrow has a rotten core around Winder and the County Annex that has left you without the infrastructure or reputation to attract any private commerce outside of the economy's bottom feeders.

Ok now could you explain to me what Obama your President has to do with Hardee's being build in downtown Winder. Seems to me that she is only speaking her mind and you are trying to pick a fight because you have nothing better to do. There are a great deal of people that do not take there husband last name and your point with that is what. Exactly nothing. Stop trying to make something out of this and start trying to help come up with ways to help turn downtown Winder around man this is so stupid. so in the future I would think that if you don't have anything nice, possible or something to add to the cause then don't say nothing at all bottom line.

Free market, what if 30 peolpe or 300 people stood up against the sale of your property. It is difficult to sell propert today. Those 175 should have made a counter offer. Kimbel street is not the best looking part of town. I'm sure if could sell your property to Hardees you would have sold it.

Add Comment

Name

Email

Homepage

In reply to

Comment

E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above: